At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Practice Integration Unit to enhance legal service quality and client experience.
- Company: Join the Women's Legal Centre ACT, a respected organisation dedicated to women's rights.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a focus on wellbeing and professional development.
- Other info: No billable targets or individual caseloads, fostering collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in women's lives while enjoying a supportive work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experienced legal practice leader with a passion for access to justice and team management.
The Women's Legal Centre ACT is seeking an experienced legal practice leader to lead our newly created Practice Integration Unit. As our legal practice has grown, we have created the Practice Integration Unit to strengthen consistency, quality and governance across our legal teams and the other professionals who work alongside them.
The Head of Practice leads the PIU, including the Social Work, Client Access and Intake, and Practice Management and Improvement teams. As Head of Practice, you will:
- be accountable for WLC's practice systems, service quality, client experience and complaints, practice modernisation, and data and reporting, overseeing the Practice Management and Improvement team through its manager
- oversee the Social Work team through its Senior Manager, ensuring social work services are delivered to professional standards and are integrated with legal practice within WLC's multidisciplinary service model
- be accountable for WLC's intake, triage, eligibility, referral and waiting list processes, overseeing the Client Access and Intake team through its manager
This role is ideal for an experienced legal practice leader who enjoys leading managers and multidisciplinary teams, improving systems and strengthening client experience. Experience working in an integrated legal practice, where lawyers, social workers and other professionals work side by side, is highly desirable. A strong understanding of legal practice is important, but the focus is on people leadership, practice management and service improvement rather than carrying a caseload.
About you
You are an experienced legal practice leader with a passion for access to justice and a commitment to supporting women experiencing discrimination, gender-based violence and complex circumstances:
- Identify as a woman, trans or gender diverse person
- Hold a law degree
- Senior experience leading managers and integrated or multidisciplinary teams
- Experience in legal practice management, legal operations, service quality or client service delivery
- A commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive and client-centred practice
- Strong strategic thinking and demonstrated success leading organisational change
It is also desirable if you have:
- Experience overseeing a social work function
- A current practising certificate (not essential)
Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to use your legal practice knowledge and leadership experience to improve services for clients and contribute to broader systems change.
This role offers something different from many senior legal practice roles. You will have the opportunity to lead a critical, cross-practice function within a respected women's legal centre with the option to work full-time or part-time in a sustainable and flexible working environment. There are no billable targets, court commitments or individual caseload, and there is a strong focus on collaboration, wellbeing and professional development.
This position may particularly appeal to:
- Experienced leaders looking to move beyond the pressures of private practice
- Parents and carers seeking greater flexibility and predictability
- Senior legal practice professionals looking for a leadership role with purpose and impact
At WLC, you will lead a multidisciplinary unit that works across the legal practice and values collaboration, innovation, reflective practice and continuous improvement. You will have the opportunity to contribute to client experience, service development, practice modernisation and broader systems change.
Who we are
At WLC, we improve women's lives through specialist legal representation, support and advocacy, working alongside our clients to improve their safety, security and access to justice. Our work is grounded in feminist principles, trauma-informed practice and a commitment to creating meaningful, lasting change.
We also believe that doing meaningful work should not come at the expense of having a life outside work. We are committed to being a feminist employer of choice, with working practices that recognise and support the realities of our employees' lives. We support our people to balance work with personal, family, cultural and community responsibilities, and place genuine importance on wellbeing, gender equity and sustainable working practices.
If you're looking for a workplace where you can use your professional skills to make a difference, while being supported to build a career that works with the rest of your life, WLC could be the change you're looking for.
Applications close at midnight on Sunday 15 November 2026.
Head of Practice – Canberra employer: Women's Legal Centre
WLC is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees, offering flexible working arrangements that allow for a healthy work-life balance. Located in Canberra, this role as a Management Accountant not only provides competitive remuneration but also the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports women facing challenges in their lives. With a strong commitment to gender equity and a supportive work culture, WLC fosters an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
